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The next step in a plan he had helped create…commitment.
Our end goal.
Rhett hesitated long enough that I began to tremble, fearing rejection. His tension, his reservations assured me he had no wish to sink into her body again, but if only he’d open up and allow himself to feel, we would all benefit from how fate had brought us together.
I needed his consent to the point I trembled, on the verge of breaking down.
“Please, Rhett.” My voice cracked, and I swallowed hard, fighting off the tremors.
I couldn’t tell him the truth about why I pushed with desperation to move forward—it would ruin him, rip him apart from the inside out. Seeing him in that kind of pain would kill me faster than any cancer…
Yanking my focus back to the present, I stared at my lover, silently begging fate to allow me one—two—last requests.
Rhett exhaled heavily as though reading my mind and moved in close, reaching for me. “Okay.”
I sank against his firm chest for a moment and filled my lungs with the scent of pine as some of the tension drained from my body.
I have this night and at least a few more…
That sense of urgency returned, and I grasped Rhett’s hand, starting toward the stairs, hoping Skylar had finished in the bathroom.
“Take a quick shower, then get your ass in our bed,” I told Rhett, my heart and mind focused on the end game.
He chuckled. “You must be feeling better. You hardly ever boss me around.”
“Just do it.” I pushed him toward our bedroom and knocked on Skylar’s door.
Rhett disappeared from view, and Skylar’s door swung inward. She stood wrapped in a towel, hair wet and a darker shade of red than her eyelashes.
I couldn’t help the butterflies erupting around the stone in my stomach or the smile that her presence always brought to my face.
“Come.” I grabbed her hand and tugged, but she hesitated.
A slight frown marred the smooth, pale skin of her brow.
“I-I’m not sure I should be in your bed tonight,” she stated quietly—and having too many sisters, I understood.
My smile dissolved. “Is it that time of the month?”
Pink flushed her cheeks, and she shook her head.
“You aren’t in the mood?” I asked when she didn’t elaborate, every cell in my body vibrating with need.
She glanced at our bedroom door down the hall as though considering.
“What’s wrong? You aren’t usually this quiet.”
“Maybe I should be,” I whispered.
“What?” I couldn’t keep the surprise from my voice. “Why would you say such a thing? I adore your quirkiness. You’re my sunshine, Sky.”
“I’m not so sure Rhett appreciates who I am as much as you do.”
Her insecurity slammed me upside the head, and I took her face in my hands, placing a slow, gentle kiss to her soft lips. “I told him I wanted you between us tonight, and he agreed. Don’t give up on him, Sky. You’re the refreshing happiness his grumpy ass needs. Give him another taste—I’m sure he’ll be unable to continue hiding behind those walls protecting his vulnerability.”
I studied her troubled eyes while she nibbled on her lower lip.
Anxiety flared again, cramping my stomach. We didn’t have time to dawdle…